The overall weak global demand particularly affected the container shipping segment which carries 16% of world trade by volume and over half by value (UNCTAD
2018). This period of an oversupplied market has been characterized by consolidation and rationalization to reduce costs and optimize capacity utilization as evinced
in the arrival of mega ships and the formation of new and larger shipping alliances.
The potential increase in market concentration, mega ships, and enhanced network
efficiency could lead to higher prices for shipping services, redefine supply chains,
and reduce the number of port calls. The economies of scale at sea brought about by
large container ships do not necessarily extend to ports. The number of ports and
terminals able to accommodate the larger ships will be limited, and ports will have to
undertake infrastructural investments and the increased intensity of activity will
require enhanced port efficiency. These are some of the broad economic developments influencing the sustainability equation (Benamara et al. 2019).
Climate change impacts in the form of rising water level, floods, storms, precipitation, and extreme weather events are likely to have significant effects on transport
networks and seaports (Asariotis et al. 2017). Enhancing climate resilience of the
maritime transport system will also be critical for sustainability.
10.3 Environmental Pressures from Shipping
A number of environmental pressures are associated with the marine transport
industry. South and East Asia undertake a large share of ship recycling, and
unsustainable conditions pose serious risks to human health, environment, and
society including children. Hazardous and oily materials (e.g., asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls, oils, and oil sludge) contained in many of the old ships
are a key problem. A number of regulations are meant to address these issues
(Benamara et al. 2019). Sea also Mikelis (2019) for fuller discussion.
Various types of wastes are generated by ships such as oily wastes, drainage from
bilges, sewage and garbage, and cargo residues. Wastes dumped in the marine
environment results in negative impacts in the form of chemical pollution and
nondegradable waste that affects marine life while also degrading the natural and
economic value of coastal areas. The MARPOL Convention addresses many of these
concerns, and these obligations are mirrored in EU directives.
Harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens can be transferred between marine
ecosystems through ships’ ballast waters and sediments. This is a major environmental challenge that can significantly damage coastal and marine environments and
ecosystems (Benamara et al. 2019). In September 2017 the International Convention
for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Waters and Sediments came into
force, requiring ships to have ballast water treatment systems.
About half of global crude oil production is carried by sea making oil spills a
major pollution risk. The international oil pollution regulatory framework under
IMO has contributed to a substantial drop in the number of oil spills from tankers.
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A. Papandreou et al.
2018). This period of an oversupplied market has been characterized by consolidation and rationalization to reduce costs and optimize capacity utilization as evinced
in the arrival of mega ships and the formation of new and larger shipping alliances.
The potential increase in market concentration, mega ships, and enhanced network
efficiency could lead to higher prices for shipping services, redefine supply chains,
and reduce the number of port calls. The economies of scale at sea brought about by
large container ships do not necessarily extend to ports. The number of ports and
terminals able to accommodate the larger ships will be limited, and ports will have to
undertake infrastructural investments and the increased intensity of activity will
require enhanced port efficiency. These are some of the broad economic developments influencing the sustainability equation (Benamara et al. 2019).
Climate change impacts in the form of rising water level, floods, storms, precipitation, and extreme weather events are likely to have significant effects on transport
networks and seaports (Asariotis et al. 2017). Enhancing climate resilience of the
maritime transport system will also be critical for sustainability.
10.3 Environmental Pressures from Shipping
A number of environmental pressures are associated with the marine transport
industry. South and East Asia undertake a large share of ship recycling, and
unsustainable conditions pose serious risks to human health, environment, and
society including children. Hazardous and oily materials (e.g., asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls, oils, and oil sludge) contained in many of the old ships
are a key problem. A number of regulations are meant to address these issues
(Benamara et al. 2019). Sea also Mikelis (2019) for fuller discussion.
Various types of wastes are generated by ships such as oily wastes, drainage from
bilges, sewage and garbage, and cargo residues. Wastes dumped in the marine
environment results in negative impacts in the form of chemical pollution and
nondegradable waste that affects marine life while also degrading the natural and
economic value of coastal areas. The MARPOL Convention addresses many of these
concerns, and these obligations are mirrored in EU directives.
Harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens can be transferred between marine
ecosystems through ships’ ballast waters and sediments. This is a major environmental challenge that can significantly damage coastal and marine environments and
ecosystems (Benamara et al. 2019). In September 2017 the International Convention
for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Waters and Sediments came into
force, requiring ships to have ballast water treatment systems.
About half of global crude oil production is carried by sea making oil spills a
major pollution risk. The international oil pollution regulatory framework under
IMO has contributed to a substantial drop in the number of oil spills from tankers.
156
A. Papandreou et al.